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Mel Hurston said that it was gratifying to hear that Orange County Animal <br />Control works well with APS. He asked if the report makes any suggestions <br />about ways in which that working relationship can be made even better. Kate <br />Pullen said yes and they talk about some of the potential disconnects to the <br />community with different groups doing animal investigations. They encourage <br />strengthening the way it is working and communicating it more to the citizens sa <br />that the citizens understand the roles that both play. <br />Animal Protection Society: <br />Pat Beyle, President of the Animal Protection Society Board, asked about <br />the fallow-up program and if it will come from Phil Snyder. Kate Pullen said that <br />it can come from either herself ar Phil Snyder or whomever they feel comfortable <br />working with. She explained that one of the reasons they do not bring a member <br />of the regional staff an the team is because there has generally been a <br />relationship present and it would not be an objective evaluation. <br />Pat Beyle asked about the SOPs and said that having the staff to do this <br />along with daily tasks would be prohibitive. She asked if Phil Snyder was expert <br />in going over the SOPS and fallowing up. Kate Pullen said that they have <br />created a template of SOPs for basic operations that a shelter would provide. <br />This is on CD-ROM. The agency can create their own SOP with the template. <br />She said that this CD would be coming overnight on Tuesday because they could <br />not get it downloaded. <br />Pat Beyle read a question as follows: "Can you give examples of other <br />communities' proactive measures to reach the public? What positionlstaff do you <br />recommend to reach the community about its animal welfare problems?": <br />Kate Pullen said that it is important to know where the problems are in the <br />community by gathering data on zip codes. Also, conducting a general <br />information survey is a good way to find out what the community knows and <br />needs. <br />APS Board member Jesse Kaufman asked if the County would help in the <br />mare successful programs of outreach. Kate Pullen said that the goal is to <br />develop the strategic plan and the programs within it in concert with the Board of <br />County Commissioners. It is hard for municipalities to earmark funds, but same <br />municipalities are using disciplinary fees and targeting them to preventive <br />programs instead of "losing" them in the general fund. <br />Pat Beyle asked if the HSUS has a recommendation for a ratio of staff to <br />animals. Kate Pullen said that they have a formula that gives the number of staff <br />to clean and physically take care of the animals. This is in the report. <br />Pat Beyle asked about the recommendation of size and the kind of facility <br />recommended for a certain number of animals. Kate Pullen said that there is <br />also a formula for this. She cautioned that it is based an the anticipated <br />population growth. <br />Pat Beyle asked about the task force and who has the responsibility for <br />this. Kate Pullen said that this is in the report. The detail is not in there, but <br />there are guidelines for creation of the task force. <br />Pat Beyle asked about advice regarding best practices regarding <br />minimizing the impact of evidence animals on the availability of shelter space for <br />otherwise adoptable animals. Kate Pullen said that you have to look at state law <br />that says that you would not charge on cruelty, but on being an unfit owner and <br />failure to provide basic needs. It is a civil process in which the owner is given a <br />